Japan track follows the semester 3 in Spring. For this semester, students mandatory follow the following courses
- Study Project (10 ECTS)
- Basics & Methods in Humanities and Social Science (2 ECTS) and one course of at least 4 ECTS courses from basket Social Sciences, Innovation, and Digital Transformation.
- 12 ECTS at least of lectures grouped in the other baskets.
- Computational Neuroscience (CNS)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- IT Security (ITS)
Study Project “Digitization and Society“ (10 ECTS)
Lecturer: Dr. Thomas Herrmann
Abstract: In the study project, ISI students in Bochum conduct an application project from start to finish, practicing skills such as programming, software design, critical thinking, project and time management, presentation of scientific results, interdisciplinary thinking and cross-cultural work. Each project concludes with a written report including a reflection on the methodical approach. The projects are done in teams of at least two students, possibly from different disciplines, i.e. one student from the ISI programme with one student from the Humanities or Social Sciences, to also practice team work and communication. A cooperation agreement with the City of Bochum guarantees that study projects can be conducted in suitable facilities of the city administration and its subsidiaries. In case of scarcity of places, projects may also be done in cooperation with other partners, e.g. from industry, but always with an application to topics of social innovation. RUB has a strong record of applied Computer Sciences in non-technical disciplines (currently strengthened by establishing 13 new tenure-track professorships). The project is facilitated by the Institute for Neural Computation in cooperation with various other departments, to include input from Anthropology, Philosophy of Communication, Ethics, Educational Sciences, Linguistics, Law, Economy, Criminology, Health, Sports, Geography, and others. This interdisciplinary set-up offers an ideal framework to conduct Computer Sciences projects with direct benefit for the partner institutions involved as well as positive impact on the use of digital technology in public management (city administration), in companies, and in society.
Basics and Methods in Humanities and Social Science (2 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Nikol Rummel
Abstract: To be well prepared for work on the intersection of Computer Science and Social Sciences / Humanities, ISI students learn fundamentals in Humanities and Social Sciences and methods to holistically assess the current problems in the field of digital transformation and IT security. Both, fundamental concepts from the respective disciplines (such as linguistics, social science, media studies and psychology) as well as up-to-date topics in the field of data protection (such as the right to privacy) will be covered. Alternating lecturers from the Humanities and Social Sciences will present topics related to digitization from the perspective of their particular discipline, in one to two sessions each. A session consists of 45 minutes of lecture and 45 minutes of work in groups.
Basket Social Sciences, Innovation, and Digital Transformation
The Politics of China’s Digital Economy(4 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jörn-Carsten Gottwald
Abstract: This seminar revisits different approaches to the study of Chinese economic policies and policy-making. It seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the driving forces behind the digitalization of the Chinese economy as well as of the many hurdles which need to be overcome. Key issues such as the control of the internet, the politics behind the “fintech revolution”, the political links between China’s leading companies and the party-state will be discussed and the effects of these developments on the regional and global economy will be addressed.
Governance and Innovation in East Asia(5 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jörn-Carsten Gottwald
Abstract: The seminar seeks to develop a better understanding of the conceptual approaches to the study of governance and innovation. It takes China, Japan, South-Korea and Taiwan as test cases to analyse the viability of the „East Asian Development State“ framework and to gain insights into the interplay of political, social, and economic actors in key areas of socio-economic development such as digitalization and e-commerce.
Risk – Theories, Philosophy and Ethics(4 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Klaus Steigleder
Abstract: Participants will try to pursue two main objectives: get a better understanding of what risks are, asking how risks are understood and dealt with in philosophy, economics, the social sciences and law. Furthermore, students will try to get a better understanding of the problems of an ethics of risk. Students will study different proposals to solve them and different attempts of an applied risk ethics.
Network Economics (5 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Julio Robledo del Prad
Abstract: This module analyses competition on network markets with tools of industrial economics. Topics are, complementarities, compatibility, network externalities, switching costs etc. Focus on, hardware and software industry, telecommunication, informational goods, bank networks, etc.
The People Side of Innovation (5 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Matthias Weiß
Abstract: People clearly are an organization’s most critical resource. Their knowledge and skills along with their commitment, creativity, and effort are the basis for competitive advantage. It is people that have creative ideas for new products or for process improvements that devise marketing strategy or take technologies to the next level. Therefore, this course focuses on the people side of innovation. Throughout the semester, tutorials are held to provide additional and in-depth insights into the course content and to practically apply theories learned in class
Basket Computational Neuroscience (CNS)
Computational Neuroscience: Vision and Memory (6 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Laurenz Wiskott
Abstract: This lecture presents models of self-organization in neural systems, in particular addressing vision (receptive fields, neural maps, invariances, attention) and associative memory (Hopfield network).
Autonomous Robotics: Action, Perception, and Cognition (6 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Gregor Schöner
Abstract: Students review experimental results in movement science, discuss mathematical models of movement generation, and use robotic instantiations of such models to illustrate their function.
Seminar: Journal Club: Learning and Memory (3 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Sen Cheng
Abstract: The seminar focusses on the neural basis of learning and memory at the systems level. In each session a journal article is presented by one participant and discussed by all participants. The articles are selected particularly in the areas of spatial and episodic memory. They include a diverse set of approaches: electrophysiology, imaging, computational modeling, and robotic.
Basket Machine Learning (ML)
Introduction to Deep Learning for Computer Vision (2 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Houben
Abstract: This one-week hands-on lab course covers basic operations of image processing, machine learning techniques and end-to-end training of deep convolutional neural networks. The course focuses on a practical multi-class image classification problem, the recognition of different traffic signs in natural images.
Machine Learning: Supervised Methods (6 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Tobias Glasmachers
Abstract: This lecture covers different state-of-the-art methods in the domain of “supervised learning”. Topics include classical statistical methods, neural networks, support vector machines, and nearest neighbor models.
Parallel Computing (6 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Markus König
Abstract: The goal of this course is the acquisition of knowledge and skills for constructing parallel algorithms on a theoretical and practical level. Also, it is demonstrated how parallel computational methods used in current engineering practice can be implemented on various contemporary parallel computers.
IT Security (ITS)
Physical Attacks and Counter measures (5 ECTS)
Lecturer: Dr. Amir Moradi
Abstract: The physical access to cryptographic implementations (e.g., a smartcard or smartphone used for payment) in which the secret key is embedded has led to the development of a new class of attacks called physical attacks. These attacks are aimed at extracting the secret key used by the cryptographic algorithm. These types of attacks exploit weaknesses in the implementation and must already be considered in the development phase of cryptographic implementations. The aim of this lecture is to give an overview of known physical attacks and their countermeasures.
Cryptographic Protocols (5 ECTS)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Eike Kiltz
Abstract: The lecture deals with advanced cryptographic protocols and their applications. Particular emphasis is placed on a formal safety analysis in the sense of demonstrable safety. Students learn to understand the advanced mathematical methods and procedures on which modern cryptographic protocols are based. They learn to analyze and design current and future cryptographic methods.
Non Awarded courses
German as a Foreign Language
Abstract: Theses courses, adapted to students’ proficiency, introduce them to German as a foreign language or enhance the communicative skills of advanced students in German.
